2012 Scholarship Winner

Fernando Johnson graduated from The University of North Texas in 2008, with his B.F.A. in painting and drawing. Most of his work up until that time consisted of process-oriented paintings where he would layer different materials, scrape away sections, and then layer again. Shortly after receiving his B.F.A. he decided he would like to teach fine arts at the college level, but he wanted to focus on strengthening his portfolio first. He started taking ceramic classes at Brookhaven, because of prior classes he had taken at North Texas. Through his work in clay he came to appreciate process and conceptual ideas tied to ceramic art. At that point he started working in sculpture, and eventually with other media. His most current work is in clay as well as video art. He will be applying for graduate school in the spring of 2013, and continue towards a Visual Studies Degree.

The Scholarship includes a check for $2,500, a mentorship, an internship and an artist studio visit. The jury for the EBAS was Edith Baker, Kenneth Craighead, Steve Green, Marcie Inman, Sue Flynn and Lisa Taylor. Winners to date have included Michelle Reyes,Brian Hauser, Maria Cortes, Pepper Ellett, Gustavo Galvan and Everett Brown.

Art by Johnson and the six other finalists from the seven DCCCD campuses will be on exhibit through Nov. 18 at Irving Arts Center. Call (972) 252-7558 or visit irvingartscenter.com for more information.

The other finalists are Arjoon KC of North Lake College, William Benitez of Eastfield College, Jessica Braddock of Richland College, Jonathan Gruchawka of Cedar Valley College, Hannah Tyler of Mountain View College, and Candy Warth of El Centro College.